Machine, methods, and program product for electronic order entry

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods and services, or other products, through messaging over a financial services electronic payment network, are provided. A customer provides electronic order registration activation information for an electronic order transaction card. The customer is provided an electronic order card having a unique electronic payment network compatible electronic order card identifier including a non-financial transaction IIN and a customer number, and is provided a catalogue or list including product order codes each associated with a different product, to enable electronic ordering over the financial services electronic payment network. An electronic order card configured to interface with a conventional point-of-sale terminal can be used to facilitate the electronic ordering over the existing financial services electronic payment network when presented to the point-of-sale terminal with a product order code identifying a selected product.

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/110,319, filed Oct. 31, 2008, titled “System, Methods, and ProgramProduct for Electronic Order Entry” and U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 12/554,432, filed Sep. 4, 2009, titled “System,Method, and Program Product for Retail Activation and Reload Associatedwith Partial Authorization Transactions,” each incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to electronic order entry. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to systems, program product,and methods related to electronically order goods, services, or goodsand services (collectively and individually defining products) throughmessaging over existing financial services electronic payment networks.

2. Description of the Related Art

As computers continue to become faster and faster and as database accessand database management continue to improve, the prospects of, and thedesire for, instituting viable and cost-effective electronic order entrysystems, either internally or over the Internet, has also continued toimprove. A conventional application of an electronic ordering machine isthat shown by various companies having online retail and wholesalestores, many of which have moved away entirely from brick and mortarestablishments to near exclusive Internet-based sales. Such electronicordering allows direct entry of orders into fields displayed on agraphical user interface by customers, reducing transcription errors,reducing transaction costs, allowing for expedited receipt,documentation, and processing of such orders.

Certain industries, however, continue to resist application ofelectronic ordering systems. For example, with respect to hospitalsystems for ordering medications, tests and other serviceselectronically, one study found that fewer than 15 percent have beenable to implement such systems. In such industries, it has been foundthat resistance from key personnel has resulted in such inability toeffectively implement such systems. Although there are several reasons,the most prominent appears to be a perception that the key personnel arebeing transferred clerical duties, which could better be performedthrough use of paper order systems and/or performed by others. It isbelieved that attempted implementation of any ordering systems thatwould provide for electronic ordering of sample medications would resultin even worse implementation success statistics.

Application of electronic ordering systems has also faced otherdifficulties. For example, the ordering system is implemented throughuse of a telephonic ordering system, e.g., landline or cellular, thereis not only the labor cost of having a sales representative receive andenter the order in the computer portion of the electronic orderingsystem, but there is the problem with transcription errors. Systems thatallow the customer to directly enter the orders in a computer can helpreduce such problems associated with transcription errors. Such systems,however, do not necessarily have the same accessibility provided bymanned telephonic systems.

As prolific as computers have been in recent years, many potentialcustomers either do not have ready access to on-line computers, do nothave the desire to learn how to use online catalogs, or simply do nothave the time to login, view an online catalog, place the item in anelectronic shopping cart, and enter data to execute the order, etc.These same potential customers, however, typically know and understandentering numeric data into a merchant point-of-sale payment terminal andentering data into a telephonic keypad for selecting a service.

Accordingly, there is a need for an automated machine, program product,and method of facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, orgoods and services, that utilize a familiar merchant point-of-saleterminal or telephonic device for electronically entering orders, whichdoes not require use of an operator to receive the orders, and whichdoes not require individual orders to be placed through a conventionalonline computer system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, embodiments of the present inventionadvantageously provide systems, program product, and methods offacilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods andservices, through messaging over an existing financial serviceselectronic payment network. Embodiments of the present inventionadvantageously provide a service that enables a business or consumer toorder goods and/or services by entering traditional credit cardidentification data associated with a traditional financial serviceselectronic payment network, e.g., MasterCard®, Visa®, American Express®,or Discover® network, and keying in an alphabetic, numeric, oralphanumeric, etc, code associated with that product. Advantageously,such service can be offered by any business and can be made availableanywhere that the associated financial services electronic paymentnetwork is available.

More specifically, an example of an embodiment of a method offacilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods andservices collectively and individually defining products, throughmessaging over an existing financial services electronic paymentnetwork, can include the steps of providing a plurality of product ordercodes in a catalogue or listing, for example; associating each of theplurality of product order codes with a different product; forming aproduct identification medium including identification indicia for eachof the plurality of products presented in association with acorresponding plurality of product order codes; and assigning anelectronic order electronic order card a unique electronic order cardidentifier often referred to as a Primary Account Number (“PAN”) whichincludes a non-financial transaction bank identification number (“BIN”)also interchangeably referred to as an issuer identifier number (“IIN”)and a customer account number for distribution to a prospectivecustomer. The electronic order card can be configured to interface witha conventional point-of-sale terminal (e.g., through use of a magneticstripe) to enable electronic ordering over the existing financialservices electronic payment network using the electronic order card andat least one of the plurality of product order codes.

Another example of an embodiment of a method of facilitating electronicordering of goods, services, or goods and services collectively andindividually defining products, through messaging over an existingfinancial services electronic payment network, can include the steps ofreceiving a purchase order message sent through the financial serviceselectronic payment network. The purchase order message can include aunique electronic order card identifier containing a non-financialtransaction IIN and a customer number; and can include at least one of aplurality of product order codes indicating selection of a correspondingat least one of a plurality of different products to define at leastportions of a purchase order. Swiping a magnetic stripe of thetransaction card, or manually entering in the electronic order cardidentifier, along with entering a product order code in the paymentamount field, can initiate the transmission of a purchase order message.The message is routed through the financial services electronic paymentnetwork according to the IIN portion of the card identifier, and iscorrespondingly received by a computer configured to process thepurchase order. The computer determines if the purchase order satisfiesrule-based criteria to thereby either validate or decline the purchaseorder, and either sends a decline message over the financial serviceselectronic payment network if the purchase order fails the rule-basedcriteria, or processes the purchase order if the purchase ordersatisfies the rule-based criteria, assuming any payment verificationrequirements are met.

The method can also include, generally as a prerequisite to placing anorder, the steps of distributing the electronic order electronic ordercard containing the unique electronic order card identifier along with aproduct identification medium including the plurality of product ordercodes, receiving customer electronic order registration activationinformation for an electronic order transaction card, and enablingelectronic ordering over the financial services electronic paymentnetwork using the electronic order card when presented with at least oneof the plurality of product order codes.

An example of an embodiment of a machine for facilitating electronicordering of goods, services, or goods and services collectively andindividually defining products, through messaging over an existingfinancial services electronic payment network, can include an electronicorder card having a unique financial services open electronic paymentnetwork compatible card number (“an electronic order card number”)including an IIN and a unique customer account number, and a pluralityof product order codes each separately identifying a separate one of aplurality of goods or services. The machine can also include an issuerprocessor computer server positioned to receive a purchase order messagecontaining non-financial electronic purchase order information includingat least portions of the electronic order card number and at least oneorder code received through an existing financial services openelectronic payment network, from a merchant acquirer server which is incommunication with the issuer processor computer through the paymentnetwork to route the purchase order message between the customer and anelectronic order card issuer.

The machine can further include a member interface protocol computerpositioned to receive and process the purchase order message, and anelectronic order entry program product stored on a tangible computermedium that is readable by the member interface protocol computer. Theelectronic order entry program product can include a set of instructionsthat, when executed by the interface protocol computer, cause the memberinterface protocol computer to perform the operations of: receiving thepurchase order message, determining if the purchase order satisfiesrule-based criteria to thereby either validate or decline the purchaseorder, processing the purchase order if the purchase order satisfies therule-based criteria, and sending a decline message over the financialservices electronic payment network if the purchase order fails therule-based criteria.

An example of an embodiment of an electronic order entry program productto facilitate electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods andservices collectively and individually defining products, throughmessaging over an existing financial services electronic paymentnetwork, e.g., MasterCard®, Visa®, American Express®, or Discover®, orother such networks, can include a set of instructions that, whenexecuted by a computer, cause the computer to perform the operations of:receiving through an existing financial services electronic paymentnetwork, a purchase order message including a unique electronic paymentnetwork compatible electronic order card identifier associated with aphysical or virtual electronic order card and at least one of aplurality of product order codes each associated with a differentproduct defining at least portions of a purchase order, determining ifthe purchase order satisfies rule-based criteria to thereby eithervalidate or decline the purchase order, sending a decline message overthe financial services electronic payment network if the purchase orderfails the rule-based criteria, and processing the purchase order if thepurchase order satisfies the rule-based criteria.

Advantageously, the unique electronic order card identifier isassociated with a physical electronic payment network compatibletransaction card, and includes a non-financial transaction IIN and acustomer identification number associated with a specific customer.Accordingly, advantageously, the electronic order card is configured tointerface with a point-of-sale terminal to enable electronic orderingover the existing financial services electronic payment network usingthe electronic order card and a product order code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theinvention, as well as others, which will become apparent, may beunderstood in more detail, a more particular description of theinvention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to theembodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings,which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however,that the drawings illustrate only various embodiments of the inventionand are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scopeas it may include other effective embodiments as well.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a general machine architecture of amachine for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, orgoods and services, through messaging over a financial serviceselectronic payment network according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front of an electronic order cardaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B are perspective views of the back of an electronicorder card according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a catalog listing product order codesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a merchant point-of-sale terminaladapted to interface with the electronic order card according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating steps for forming anproduct order code list or catalogue facilitating electronic ordering ofgoods, services, or goods and services, through messaging over afinancial services electronic payment network according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating steps for forming anddistributing an electronic order electronic order card and product ordercodes for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goodsand services, through messaging over a financial services electronicpayment network according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating steps for forming anddistributing an electronic order electronic order card and product ordercodes for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goodsand services, through messaging over a financial services electronicpayment network according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating steps for registering anelectronic order electronic order card for facilitating electronicordering of goods, services, or goods and services, through messagingover a financial services electronic payment network according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating steps associated withperforming a no payment required electronic order entry using anelectronic order card and product order codes and processing theelectronic order according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating steps associated withperforming a payment required electronic order entry using an electronicorder card and product order codes and processing the electronic orderaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a schematic flow diagram illustrating steps associated withthe operation of receiving a purchase order message in FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 provides a schematic diagram of an electronic order entryprogram product stored in a tangible computer readable medium andcomprising a set of executable instructions that facilitate electronicordering of goods, services, or goods and services collectively throughmessaging over an existing financial services electronic paymentnetwork;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a member interface protocolcomputer according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a general system architecture of amachine for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, orgoods and services, through messaging over a financial serviceselectronic payment network according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a database and database tables of amachine for facilitating the electronic ordering of goods, services orgoods and services, through messaging over a financial serviceselectronic payment network according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments ofthe invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theillustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Prime notation, if used,indicates similar elements in alternative embodiments.

As prolific as computers have been in recent years, many potentialcustomers, e.g., key personnel associated with certain industries,continue to resist application of electronic ordering systems. Althoughthere are several reasons, the most prominent appears to be a perceptionthat the key personnel are being transferred clerical duties, whichcould better be performed through use of paper order systems and/or bebetter performed by others. Such key personnel simply do not have thetime to login, view a catalog, place the item in an electronic shoppingcart, and enter data to execute the order, etc. It is expected that thiswould also be the case for online ordering of products in the form ofeither goods or services. These same key personnel, however, are veryfamiliar and comfortable with entering, e.g., numeric data into amerchant point-of-sale payment terminal and/or entering data into atelephonic keypad for selecting a service. Accordingly, as described inmore detail below, various embodiments of the present invention providea system, program product, and method of facilitating electronicordering of goods, services, or goods and services, that utilize thefamiliar merchant point-of-sale +terminal or telephonic device forelectronically entering orders, which beneficially does not requireindividual orders to be placed through a conventional online computersystem.

As perhaps best shown in FIG. 1, a machine 30 for facilitatingelectronic ordering of goods, services, or goods and services(collectively and individually defining product or products), througheither traditional or partial authentication messaging over an existing(traditional) financial services electronic payment network 31, e.g.,MasterCard®, Visa®, American Express®, or Discover® network, etc., asknown to those skilled in the art, is provided. As can be seen, themachine 30 includes a product provider computer 97; an electronicpayment network interface 70 for receiving order information from acustomer, a merchant acquirer computer 63 for accepting the order andfacilitating communication of the order; a payment network 31 providedto identify an issuer associated with the order; an issuer processorcomputer for processing the order, and a member interface protocolcomputer 81 for executing the instructions for facilitating ordering theproducts from the product provider 97 through communications network101. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the merchant acquirer,payment network, and issuer processor computer are component of atraditional payment transaction system that enables credit transactionswith a merchant, e.g., consumer credit card and debit card systems, andas such, machine 30 can process payment information in addition to andin conjunction with the order.

Communication network 101 connects the customer 65 to the merchantacquirer computer 63, payment network 31, issuer processor computer 61,the member interface protocol computer 81 and the product provider 97(though the communications network 101 is depicted connecting only thecustomer 65, product provider 97 and member interface protocol computer81) and can include, for example, a telecommunication network, which caninclude a wire-based telephone network, pager network, cellular network,or a combination thereof, and a computer network. As one skilled in theart will appreciate, the computer network can connect all of the systemcomponents using a local area network (“LAN”) or wide area network(“WAN”), or a combination thereof. For example, payment network 31,issuer processor computer 61, and member interface protocol computer 81may be associated with the same entity and are thereby configured as aplurality of servers operating together in a LAN. Alternatively, themerchant acquirer and payment network may be the same entity and operatetogether using a LAN, but use a WAN to connect to the issuer processorcomputer 61. Accordingly, though not all such configurations aredepicted, all are within the scope of the disclosure.

Customer 65 can be an individual or a business having access to thepayment network interface 70, and initiates the product order byaccessing the machine 30 using same. The payment network interface 70includes, for example, a point of sale terminal (“POS”) 67 and deviceinterface 75, which could be a telephone or computer internetconnection. As shown in FIG. 5, the merchant POS terminal 67 can includea keypad 69 so that a customer can enter an electronic order cardnumber; a barcode scanner 71 (so the merchant can scan a barcodeassociated with the order, a product, or a portion of an electronicorder card); and a magnetic stripe reader/slot 73 (so the merchant orcustomer can scan a magnetic stripe on the electronic order card.Alternative embodiments of the merchant POS terminal 67 can include anRFID interface (not shown) and/or a contact memory button reader (notshown). The merchant POS terminal 67, part of a merchant POS terminal 67(not shown in its entirety) further includes various software andhardware for interfacing with the merchant acquirer computer 63,financial services electronic payment network 33, and issuer processorcomputer 61, as known and understood by those skilled in the art. Forexample, the POS terminal 67 may include a computer display screen (notshown) for displaying transaction data, a computer memory such RAM, ROMand related hard disk storage for storing transaction data or computerinstructions, a computer processor for executing computer instruction,and associated buses for data input and output, including those toconnect the POS terminal 67 to the LAN or WAN for interaction with themachine 30.

In a preferred embodiment, a user enters order information using, e.g.,an electronic order card 33 similar to either a traditional credit/debitcard or consumer loyalty card, and optionally, a product identificationmedium 51. An exemplary electronic order card 33 is shown in FIGS. 2-3B.In one configuration, the electronic order card 33 can be in the form ofa standard 30-mil plastic card with magnetic stripe 41 (FIG. 3) thatfunctions on at least one of the traditional financial serviceselectronic payment networks 31. The electronic order card 33 can includeunique financial services electronic payment network compatible cardidentifier number (“electronic order card number”) 35 embossed on thefront side of the electronic order card 33, which can identify theelectronic order card number when device interface 75 is used to accessthe system. The electronic order card number 35 may include an issueridentification number (“IIN”) 37, i.e., a six digit number used toidentify the bank or issuer in alphanumeric symbols used for routingmessages, a unique personal customer account number 39 used foridentifying a specific customer, and a checksum digit 40. The IIN 37 canbe either financial (is associated to a consumer account to monetarilysettle transactions) or non-financial (is associated with a consumeraccount, but will settle non-monetary transaction.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B, the electronic order card 33 can alsoinclude a storage medium illustrated in the form of a magnetic stripe41. Other storage medium configurations include, for example,radiofrequency identification (“RFID”) tag 43, contact memory button 42,etc., capable of storing the electronic order card number 35 fortransmission/retrieval by a merchant customer interface point-of-saleterminal 67 (FIG. 1). In each of the embodiments of the electronic ordercard 33, the various card storage media may store a copy of theelectronic order card number 35, a customer name, expiration date, anetwork identifier, etc, in electronic or magnetic format. For example,the magnetic stripe 41 may store data on three separate tracks, tracksone and two, which are traditionally read only tracks, could store theaccount number, customer name, card expiration date, etc., and trackthree, traditionally a read/write track, could allow data to be writtento the magnetic stripe, e.g., identification of promotional offers,flags that the order card has been associated with a discount offer,etc. However, as one skilled in the art will recognize, in alternativeembodiments, the identification number may be the only thing stored inthe various card storage media, or the electronic order card 35 may be a“smart card” to allow various data to be written and stored thereon,e.g., identification of promotional offers, flags that the order cardhas been associated with a discount offer, etc

The customer 65 can interact with the POS or device interface 75 using,e.g., the electronic order card number 35 in conjunction with, e.g., aproduct identification medium 51 such as, for example, a table, list,catalogue, or other medium for conveying product data to a customer 65,for order placement, shown in FIG. 4 The product identification medium51 can include a list of particular goods, services, or both goods andservices (collectively referred to as “product” or “products” 53)differentiated by type, size, quantity, delivery mode, etc. For example,a 10-day supply of pharmaceutical A can be listed separately forselection than a 30-day supply of pharmaceutical A. Similarly, a 10-daysupply of pharmaceutical A to be hand delivered by a sales clerk can belisted separately from a 10-day supply of the same pharmaceutical A tobe delivered via mail order. The product identification medium 51 canalso include a corresponding list of product identification (“order”)codes 55 each separately identifying a different “listed” product.

The order codes 55 can each include a unique series of numbers, letters,or both, a code scheme, an arrangement of characters, bar code, etc. tothereby identify a specific product, and the customer can enter suchnumbers during order placement. As one skilled in the art willappreciate, the order codes can be entered using, e.g., the keypadlocated on the POS terminal or telecommunications device, oralternatively the scanning device 71 can be used a bar codecorresponding to the product order code, to enter same. As such, theorder code is appended to the electronic order card number 35, or otheridentification mechanism. In addition, both the electronic order cardnumber 35 and the order code 55 may be temporarily stored in the POS ora merchant computer for transmittal to the merchant acquirer in a singlebatch or word, or the electronic order card number 35 and the order code55 may be transmitted separately with an additional signal thatindicates any one of the start of the electronic order card number 35,the end of the electronic order card number 35; the start of the ordercode 55; the end of the order code 55, and the merchant name.

In an alternate methodology, the customer 65 can interface with themerchant acquirer computer 63 via a device interface 75 such as aconventional touch-tone telephone, a cellular telephone (not shown),personal computer, wireless personal digital assistant (not shown), etc.Here, the customer would telephonically connect to an electronicinterface at the merchant acquirer computer 63, and provide, e.g., theelectronic order card number 35 and the order code 55. For example, thecustomer might be able to have the merchant acquirer computer 63electronically recognize and convert a voice order signal intoelectronic data to be transmitted to the other computer components ofthe system. Alternatively, the customer might interact with a personassociated with the merchant acquirer computer 63 that manually entersthe electronic order card number 35 and the order code 55 into themerchant acquirer computer 63, payment network 31, issuer processor 61,or member interface protocol 81.

Once the customer provides order card number 35 and the order code 55to, e.g., the payment network interface 70, the data is encrypted andtransmitted through the communications network 101 to the merchantacquirer computer 63. The merchant acquirer computer is both configuredand positioned in communication with the issuer processor computer 61through the financial services electronic payment network 31, anddecrypts the electronic order card number 35 and the order code 55, andappends additional data there to for transmission to the payment network31. As one skilled in the art will recognize, in addition totransmitting the electronic order card number 35 and the order code 55,the merchant acquirer could also transmit settlement data to the paymentnetwork so that the merchant or product provider 97 can receive paymentin conjunction with the order. To perform these duties, merchantacquirer computer 63, for example, consists of at least one computer,though it can be implemented as one or more computers each having aprocessor and memory coupled to the processor to store operatinginstructions therein, which can be configured in the form of a server.

The merchant acquirer computer 63 transmits the electronic order cardnumber 35 and the order code 55 to the payment network 31, whichoperates to set transaction rules, facilitate transactions, settlesfunds between parties, engages in risk mitigation etc. Examples ofpayment networks 31 are e.g., MasterCard®, Visa®, American Express®, orDiscover® network. At the payment network 31, the electronic order cardnumber 35 and the order code 55 are decrypted so that the issuer can beidentified using the IIN, and the electronic order card number 35 andthe order code 55 are then routed to the appropriate issuer 61. Thepayment network 31 can be configured as one or more computers eachhaving a processor and memory coupled to the processor to storeoperating instructions therein, which can be configured in the form of aserver.

The payment network 31 routes the electronic order card number 35 andthe order code 55, which may be encrypted before transmission, to theissuer processor computer 61. The issuer processor computer 61traditionally funds transactions, i.e., bills the customer a charge, andcan be e.g., a bank. Here, in addition to settling merchant accounts,the issuer processor computer 61 transmits order data, using forexample, the electronic order card number 35 and the order code 55, fororder processing by a member interface protocol computer 81. To achievethis end, the issuer processor computer 61, can be implemented as one ormore computers each having a processor and memory coupled to theprocessor to store operating instructions therein, which can beconfigured in the form of a server.

The issuer processor computer 61 sends the electronic order card number35 and the order code 55 to the member interface protocol computer 81.Member interface protocol computer 81 performs many of the functions ofthe machine related matching and associating an order to a customeraccount, associating the order with a product provider 97; facilitatingthe order with the product provider 97 and communicating an order statusto the customer 65. To achieves this, member interface protocol could beconfigured as an application server or plurality of application serversconnected to and as a part of the issuer processor computer 61 andaccessible by a plurality of workstations associated with the issuerprocessor computer 61, as shown in FIG. 14.

It should also be understood that the illustrated merchant acquirercomputer, payment network, issuer processor computer and memberinterface protocol computer configuration is given by way of example andthat other types of servers or computers configured according to variousother methodologies known to those skilled in the art, can be used. Forexample, a single computer, a plurality of computers, a server or servercluster or server farm may be employed, and this disclosure does notlimited any configuration of computers and servers for each. Moreovereach may be deployed as at a server farm or server cluster managed by aserver host, and the number of servers and their architecture andconfiguration may be increased based on usage, demand and capacityrequirements for the machine 30

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, the member interface protocol computer 81connects to a database server 95, telecommunications interface 107 andweb server 109.

The database server 95 can be used to store customer and merchantaccount and promotional information in separate records, tables, orcolumns in an associated database, which may be received from thepayment network 31. As is understood in the art, the database server 95includes a processor directing data from a bus into the database memory,which can be e.g., a hard drive, optical storage or the like, andcomputer software that provides each of the plurality of issuercomponent computers (not shown), including the member interface protocolcomputer 81, access the data therein

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary database structure for customer data storedin database server 95, though one skilled in the art will appreciateother database structures are possible and are included within the scopeof the invention. Database 1500, for example, includes customer accounttable 1502, a product provider table 1504, and a product order table1506. The account customer account table 1502 includes columns, i.e.,fields for data entry, such as, e.g., a customer account number, acustomer name, a customer address, a customer email address, a customertelephone number and a customer's order history. The product providertable 1504 includes columns for e.g., a product provider account number,a product order code, a product provider name; a product provideraddress, a customer utilization rate for products, a product provideremail address, and a product provider telephone number. The productorder table 1506 includes columns for, e.g., a product name, a productquantity, i.e., how many of an item are in stock, a stock status, i.e.,when additional stock will become available or if the product isoverstocked, and a ship date, i.e., estimated date for product shipping.As one skilled in the art will appreciated, each of these tables mayinclude dependent tables for each of the columns, e.g., the addresscolumn for the customer account table or product provider table may beimplemented as another table with separate columns for the street,state, and zip code for each customer account and each product provider.Moreover, database 1500 may include fewer or more data tables andcolumns depending upon the implementation of the particular embodimentof the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand and recognizethat multiple order codes, and a customers' personal information canalso be included in the database tables and columns, and that databaseserver can be implemented as a single computer, server, plurality ofcomputers or servers, or as separate component of the member interfaceprotocol computer 81.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, telecommunications interface 107 allows acustomer 65, product provider 91, or a merchant (not shown) to connectto the issuer processor computer using a telephone line, or the like,and may be a standard telephone network device such as a PBX. As oneskilled in the art will appreciate, web server 109 provides the paymentnetwork, merchants, product providers and customers, networked computeraccess to the issuer processor computer network, and is used to managecomputer traffic into and away from the issuer processor computer 61. Assuch, web server 109 is configured with processors, memory, and I/Odevices to allow efficient exchange of data between the member interfaceprotocol computer 81, its related components, the payment network 31,product provider 91, and customer 65 to facilitate the web functionsthereof.

Member interface protocol computer 81 can be configured as a computer, aserver, or a system of distributed computers or server that at leastinclude memory 93, program product 91, processor 508, input/outputdevice and (“I/O”) 1310, as shown in FIG. 13. Member protocol computerI/O device 1310 connects the member interface protocol computer 81 toissuer processor computer 61, database server 95, telecommunicationsinterface 107, and web server 109, to thereby allow member interfaceprotocol computer 81 to send and receive order data. I/O device 1310 canbe any I/O device including, but not limited to a networkcard/controller connected by a PCI bus to the motherboard, or hardwarebuilt into the motherboard of the member interface protocol computer 81to connect same to the network.

As can be seen, the I/O device is connected to the processor 1308.Processor 1308 is the “brains” of the member interface protocol computer81, and as such executes program product 91 and works in conjunctionwith the I/O device 1310 to direct data to memory 93 and to send datafrom memory 93 to the database server 95, telecommunications interface107, and web server 109. Processor 1308 can be any commerciallyavailable processor, or plurality of processors, adapted for use for themember interface protocol computer 81, e.g., Intel® Xeon® multicoreprocessors, Intel® micro-architecture Nehalem, AMD Opteron™ multicoreprocessors, etc. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, processor1308 may also include components that allow the member interfaceprotocol computer 81 to be connected to a display [not shown] andkeyboard that would allow a user to directly access the processor 1308and memory.

Memory 93 stores instructions for execution on the processor 1308, andconsists of both non-volatile memory, e.g., hard disks, flash memory,optical disks, and the like, and volatile memory, e.g., SRAM, DRAM,SDRAM, etc., as required to process embodiments of the instantinvention. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, though memory 93is depicted on, e.g., the motherboard, of the member interface protocolcomputer 81, memory 93 may also be a separate component or device, e.g.,FLASH memory, connected to the member interface protocol computer 81.Memory 93 may also store applications that various workstations canaccess and run on the member interface protocol computer 81.Importantly, memory 93 stores the program product 91 of the instantinvention. As one skilled in the art will understand, the programproduct 91, along with one or more databases/tables/fields/records forcustomer electronic order card data and associated customer accountdata, products 53 and the order codes 55, can be stored either in memory93 or in separate memory associated, for example, with a database server95, positioned in communication with the member interface protocolcomputer 81, e.g., as shown in FIG. 15

The electronic order entry program product 91 can be configured toprocess the received purchase order message data and is described inmore detail in reference to FIG. 12. The electronic order entry programproduct 91 can include a set of instructions that, when executed, forexample, by the member interface protocol (computer or server, etc.) 81,cause the member interface protocol computer 81 to perform variousoperations to include receiving the purchase order message including thenon-financial electronic order transaction information, e.g., throughthe payment network 31 and the issuer processor computer 61 (block 261),and determining if the purchase order satisfies rule-based criteria tothereby either validate or decline the purchase order (block 263). Theoperations can also include processing the order (block 265) to includesending an order status to the customer 65 using either the POSterminal, the telecommunications network or the computer network (blocks273, 274). The operations also include sending shipment requirements,including the customers' address (which may be a physical address or adelivery address), to a shipping department of a product provider 97over communication network 101 if the purchase order satisfies therule-based criteria, such as a valid electronic order card number, validorder number, payment history, etc. (block 275). The operations can alsoinclude sending a decline message if the purchase order fails therule-based criteria, e.g., wrong issuer processor, non-payment to aproduct provider or invalid electronic order card number (block 265). Asdecline messages are considered more critical and as they are readilycompatible with transmission over the financial services electronicpayment network 31, such messages may be preferably sent over thefinancial services electronic payment network 31, rather than throughother means, though the customer may receive the decline message viaemail, telephone call, etc. If a merchant POS terminal 67 is being used,the decline message can be displayed on terminal display 68 (see, e.g.,FIG. 5).

FIGS. 6-11 provide high-level flow diagrams illustrating method stepsand operations for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services,or combinations thereof (collectively “product” or “products”), throughmessaging over a financial services electronic payment network, such as,for example, the Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, or Discover®network, which is currently deployed to receive and process electronicpayments through merchant POS terminals, such as, for example, merchantPOS terminal 67, located at a merchant site. Note, a merchant asidentified herein includes a merchant of both products (e.g., retail orwholesale stores or shops) and services (e.g., providers of professionaland non-professional services). The various applications also includeelectronic ordering of products both where payment must be tendered andwhere no payment is required.

As an example of a conventional scenario where no payment is required, asales clerk makes a sales appointment to visit a doctor's office toadvertise samples of a new or featured pharmaceutical. After waiting 45minutes or so to see the doctor, the sales clerk briefs the doctor onthe new pharmaceutical and enters registration information about thedoctor in a request form. The sales clerk then enters the information ina sales office computer. Upon approval of the doctor's registration, thesales clerk then returns to the doctor's office, waits another 45minutes or so to see the doctor, and receives an order for one or morefeatured sample pharmaceuticals. After the order is processed at thesales office, the sales clerk then returns to the doctor's office toagain see the doctor and deliver the requested samples. This typicalscenario can take approximately 3 weeks. Beneficially, an embodiment ofthe present invention allows the sales clerk to replace at least one,and in some situations, all three of the trips to the doctor's office.Exemplary steps/operations for doing so are described in more detail,below.

FIG. 6 provides a flow diagram illustrating steps for forming a productorder code list or catalogue 51 for facilitating electronic ordering ofgoods, services, or goods and services, through messaging over afinancial services electronic payment network 31, according to anembodiment of the present invention. According to the exemplaryembodiment, a product provider 97 offering the electronic order entryservice or affiliated electronic order issuer obtains, generates, orotherwise establishes a series of, e.g., numeric, product identificationor order codes 55 (block 201), which are each associated with aparticular product 53 (block 203) which may identify or otherwise bedifferentiated by quantity, preferred delivery means, etc. Havingestablished these codes 55, the business prepares and communicates thosecodes 55 to its customers 65 (block 205), e.g., by preparing anelectronic or paper-based catalog 51 (see, e.g., FIG. 4) of its products53 (goods and/or services) and their associated order codes 55, printingbar codes associated with the products 53, or through other means ormedium known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 7 provides a flow diagram illustrating steps for fainting anddistributing an electronic order electronic order card 33 and the ordercodes 55. For the order codes 55 to work, the business or card issuerprovides an electronic order electronic order card 33 having a cardnumber 35, 39, that is unique to its actual or prospective customer 65,whether the prospective customer is another businesses or end consumer.To this end, the business or card issuer assigns the electronic ordercard 33 (transaction card) a unique electronic order card number 35(transaction card identifier) including an IIN 37 and a user/customeridentification or processing number 39 (block 211). According to theexemplary configuration, the IIN 37 upon which the physical or virtualcard functions is non-financial and non-settling, i.e., it is configuredsuch that when electronic order entry (purchase order) messagesinstigated by the electronic order card 33 are transmitted, thosemessages are not financial transactions, and accordingly, no financialsettlement occurs.

Typically after receiving or collecting customer registrationinformation (block 213), the customer specific electronic orderelectronic order card 33 is delivered along with the catalog 51 (block215). Card number (and catalog) delivery can either be electronic, e.g.,via e-mail, or through actual delivery of, for example, a standard30-mil plastic card with a magnetic stripe 41 or other storage medium,that functions on a traditional financial services payment network,e.g., MasterCard®, Visa®, American Express®, and Discover® network 31.Uniqueness of card numbers 35 can be preserved by generating all numbersthrough check-sum-digit algorithms based, for example, on DES-3standards, or others known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 8 provides a flow diagram illustrating steps for forming anddistributing an electronic order electronic order card 33 and the ordercodes 55 for a plurality of customers 65. The business or card issuerobtains or otherwise provides a plurality of electronic order electronicorder cards 33 having a card number 35, 39, that is unique to each ofits actual or prospective customers 65 (block 221), and assigns eachelectronic order card 33 a unique electronic order card identifier 35,39, including a non-financial transaction IIN 37 and a customer number39 (block 223). Upon separately receiving or collecting customerregistration information (block 225), each electronic order card 33 isseparately distributed to the separate prospective customer 65 alongwith a catalog or list 51 featuring one or more order codes 55 eachseparately representing a particular product 53 (block 227).Alternatively, some or all of the electronic order cards 33 can be firstprovided to a merchant having a POS terminal 67, for distribution tocustomers 65 whereby the merchant can collect customer information (ifnot already done so) for provision to the business (product provider) orcard issuer, prior to individual distribution to customers 65. Otherdifferent delivery scenarios are, of course, within the scope of thepresent invention, to include presenting the electronic order cards 33in the mail to customers 65 or potential customers 65 (collectively“customers”) where the business or card issuer has at least a minimumamount of registration data.

FIG. 9 provides a flow diagram illustrating steps/operations forregistering an electronic order card 33 that has been delivered to acustomer 65. Upon receipt of the catalog 51 and electronic card number35, the customer 65 may register their interest in placing electronicorders through a web interface 109, or an interactive voice responseunit, and short message service (“SMS” or “text”) message, or othertelecommunications interface 17, among others. Accordingly, the cardissuer receives the electronic order card registration activationinformation from the customer 65 (block 231), optionally sends back aregistration acknowledgment message (block 233), and enables electronicordering by the customer 65 using the electronic order card number 35 ofthe electronic order card 33 and the order code(s) 55 listed in thecatalog 51 (block 235).

After registration, the customer 65 places an order by entering theelectronic order card number 35, entering the appropriate order code 55and submitting the purchase order message. Customers 65 can use theirrespective physical or virtual cards 33 in one of several ways, e.g.,swiping a physical card in a traditional point-of-sale terminal 67,e.g., Hypercom, Verifone, Lipman Nurit, Ingenico, etc., or by keying thetraditional financial services payment network 16-digit card number(with or without the security code) into a traditional or web-based POSterminal 67, or over a device interface 75 such as a land-based orcellular telephone or wireless PDA, or using other electronictransmission technology, e.g., RFID, etc. The order is then transmittedthrough the payment network infrastructure to an issuer processorcomputer 61 and then to a member interface protocol computer 81.

FIG. 10 provides a flow diagram illustrating steps/operations associatedwith performing a “no payment required” electronic order entry, such as,for example, where a doctor having been provided the electronic ordercard 33 and associated order codes 55 (e.g., via mail delivery, etc.),and having “activated” the card, uses the doctor's office POS terminal67 to order samples advertised to the doctor by the salesman on a priorvisit. Having swiped the electronic order card 33 and indicated thedesired sample pharmaceutical identified by the order code 55, thepurchase order via a purchase order message is transmitted to an issuerprocessor computer over the payment network 31, and is correspondinglyreceived by the issuer processor computer 61, member interface protocolcomputer 81, and/or other computer associated with the card issuer, forexample (block 241). The purchase order message can include theelectronic order card number 35, one or more order codes 55, andtypically a merchant identification number, terminal identificationnumber, and time-of-day.

It is then determined if the purchase order satisfies rule-basedcriteria to thereby validate or decline the purchase order (block 243).The order can be validated by satisfying any number of real-time,rules-based criteria, including, without limitation, electronic ordercard number, electronic order card security code, product category code,product provider identification number, merchant account number (ifdifferent from product provider) terminal identification number,time-of-day, allowable quantity, allowable number of purchases within aprescribed period of time, etc.

If the order is not validated, i.e., fails the rule-based criteria, theorder it is not processed, and a “decline” message is sent over thefinancial services electronic payment network 31 (block 245), but mayalso be sent via email, telephone, text message or the like. If theorder is validated, i.e., passes the rule-based criteria, the order isprocessed and fulfilled in accordance with terms set by the business 97(e.g., pharmaceutical company) soliciting the order (block 247), and theorder status is transmitted to the customer 65, e.g., by SMS message, bye-mail, or by sending a traditional payment network response code, whichmay be configured in such a way as to communicate additionalorder-specific data back to the customer 65 (block 249). Additionally,shipment requirements data is sent to the business 97 (e.g., shippingdepartment) over an external communication network 101 (block 251).Further, the web-based portion, e.g., Web server 109, allows thebusiness to access and review, among other things, the number of ordersthat have been transmitted, denied, and processed and fulfilled.

FIG. 11 provides a flow diagram illustrating steps associated withperforming a “payment required” electronic order entry, such as, forexample, where a retail customer having been provided the electronicorder card 33 and the order codes 55 (e.g., via mail delivery, etc.),and having “activated” the card, uses a local merchants POS terminal 67to order goods or services advertised in a good and/or service catalog51. Having swiped the electronic order card 33 and indicated the desiredproduct identified by the order code 55, the order via a purchase ordermessage is transmitted an issuer processor computer 61 over the paymentnetwork 31, and is correspondingly received by the issuer processorcomputer 61, member interface protocol computer 81, and/or othercomputer associated with the card issuer, for example (block 261).Alternatively, a customer 65 may be provided instructions to access thepayment network 31, issuer processor computer 61, member interfaceprotocol 81, and merchant acquirer computer, via a device interface 75such as an internet, telephone, a cellular telephone, PDA, or othersimilar device, etc., capable of communicating with a merchant acquirercomputer 63.

As with the “no payment” scenario, upon receipt of the purchase ordermessage, it is determined whether or not the purchase order satisfiesrule-based criteria to thereby either validate or decline the purchaseorder (block 263). If the order is not validated, i.e., fails therule-based criteria, the order it is not processed, and a “decline”message is sent over the financial services electronic payment network31 (block 265). If the order is validated, i.e., passes the rule-basedcriteria, it is then determined/verified whether or not an indicationthat payment has been made has been received (block 267). Suchindication can be provided by various methodologies including, but notlimited to, simply delaying at least a portion of the order processinguntil after expiration of sufficient time for the merchant to “back out”of the order transaction, or the merchant positively providing a paymentreceipt indication through an external communication network 101, eitherdirectly to the card issuer or indirectly through the business 95. Insuch case, if no payment verification is provided, the order wouldgenerally be canceled (block 269) or a query submitted.

Upon direct or assumed verification of payment, the order is processedand fulfilled in accordance with terms set by the business 97 solicitingthe order (block 271). Either before or after payment verification, theorder status can be transmitted to the customer 65, e.g., by SMSmessage, by e-mail, or by sending a traditional payment network responsecode, which may be configured in such a way as to communicate additionalorder-specific data back to the customer 65 (blocks 273 and 274).Additionally, shipment requirements data is sent to the business 97(e.g., shipping department) over an external communication network 101(block 275), and the number of orders that have been transmitted,denied, processed, and fulfilled, are made available to the business 97through the computer network 105 (block 277). Further, settlement foreither individual transactions or a batch of transactions areperiodically made between the business 97 and the card issuer, oralternatively, made according to other contractual methodologies (block279).

It is important to note that while embodiments of the present inventionhave been described in the context of a fully functional system, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanism of at leastportions of the present invention and/or aspects thereof are capable ofbeing distributed in the form of a computer readable medium ofinstructions in a variety of forms for execution on a processor,processors, or the like, and that embodiments of the present inventionapply equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing mediaused to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of computerreadable media include, but are not limited to: nonvolatile, hard-codedtype media such as read only memories (ROMs), CD-ROMs, and DVD-ROMs, orerasable, electrically programmable read only memories (EEPROMs),recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD-R/RWs,DVD-RAMs, DVD-R/RWs, DVD+R/RWs, flash drives, and other newer types ofmemories, and transmission type media such as digital and analogcommunication links. For example, such media can include both operatinginstructions and operations instructions related to the program product91 and the method steps/operations, described above.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention can include acomputer readable medium that is readable by a computer, e.g., memberinterface protocol computer 81 or issuer processor computer 61, tomanage electronic order card activation, electronic order entry, andpayment processing. The computer readable medium can include a set ofinstructions (e.g., program product 91 and/or above described methodsteps/operations capable of being performed by a computer, in computerreadable form that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer toperform various operations to include the operations of receiving apurchase order message containing a purchase order sent through anexisting financial services electronic payment network 31, determiningif the purchase order satisfies rule-based criteria to thereby eithervalidate or decline the purchase order, sending a decline message overthe financial services electronic payment network 31 if the purchaseorder fails the rule-based criteria, and processing the purchase orderif the purchase order satisfies the rule-based criteria.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the purchase ordermessage includes a unique electronic payment network compatibleelectronic order card identifier 35 associated with a physical orvirtual electronic order card 33, and one or more order codes 55, eachassociated with a different product 53. The electronic order cardidentifier 35 can be configured to enter a specific pre-selectedelectronic payment network 31, e.g., MasterCard®, Visa®, AmericanExpress®, or Discover® networks. The unique electronic order cardidentifier 35 can include a non-financial transaction IIN 37 and acustomer identification number 39 associated with a specific customer65. And, the rule-based criteria can include at least portions of theelectronic order card identifier 35, the product order code or codes to55, and one or more of the following: an allowable quantity, anallowable number of purchases within a prescribed period of time, and aelectronic order card security code associated with the electronic ordercard 33, for example.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronicorder card 33 is a physical card configured to interface with apoint-of-sale terminal 67 to enable electronic ordering over theexisting financial services electronic payment network 31 using theelectronic order card 33 and the product order code or codes 55.Correspondingly, the purchase order message can further include datasuch as a merchant category code, merchant identification number,merchant identification number, terminal identification number, andtime-of-day, and if the terminal supports partial messaging, a flagindicating such support. Similarly, the rule-based criteria can furtherinclude a terminal identification number, merchant category code,merchant identification number, and the time-of-day.

According to the preferred configuration, the product order code orcodes 55 can be received through the point-of-sale terminal paymententry field 77 (FIG. 11A). Accordingly, after swiping the electronicorder card 33, a customer can enter the order code 55 directly into thepayment entry field in place of a payment amount.

FIGS. 11 and 11A provide a flow diagram illustrating the operation ofreceiving at an issuer processor computer 61 a purchase order message.The operation of receiving a purchase order message can includereceiving the purchase order message from an issuer processor computer61 associated with a card issuer and configured to receive the purchaseorder message from the financial services electronic payment network 31in response to components of the financial services electronic paymentnetwork 31 detecting/determining 280 the non-financial IIN 37 to beidentifying the specific card issuer or the issuer processor computer61. The components of the financial services electronic payment network31 correspondingly receive the purchase order message from a merchantacquirer computer 63 in communication therewith, which can receive thepurchase order message from the electronic payment network interface 70which is a POS terminal 67 and/or from a device interface 75 such as atelephone, a cellular telephone, PDA, or a personal computer, incommunication with the merchant acquirer computer 63. The memberinterface protocol computer 81 receives at least portions of thepurchase order message from the issuer processor computer 61.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, the operation of processing the purchase order caninclude the operations of sending an order status over an externalcommunication network 101 (e.g., telecommunication or computer network103, 105) to a customer 65 initiating the purchase order, oralternatively, sending an order status back through the financialservices electronic payment network 31 to the customer 65 initiating thepurchase order through use of a financial services electronic paymentnetwork response code. The operation of processing the purchase ordercan also further include sending shipment requirements data over anexternal communication network 101 (e.g., computer network 105) to theproduct provider 97 that is soliciting the purchase order. Theoperations can also further include providing (block 276) to theprovider 97 “received” purchase order message count data, purchase ordermessage denial count data, and purchase order processed count dataassociated with the respective product provider 97.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed a typicalpreferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms areemployed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. The invention has been described in considerabledetail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. It willbe apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be madewithin the spirit and scope of the invention as described in theforegoing specification.

1. A system for facilitating the management and electronic ordering ofgoods and services over an existing electronic financial network, thesystem comprising: a product identification medium includingidentification indicia for each of a plurality of products of a productsprovider presented in association with identification indicia for eachof a plurality of product order codes to thereby allow a plurality ofcustomers to identify a desired product; a customer order transactioncard for ordering one or more of the plurality of products of theproducts provider, the transaction card having a storage medium forstoring an electronic payment network compatible transaction cardidentifier unique to a specific customer of the plurality of customers,the identifier comprising an issuer identifier number and a specificcustomer account number of a plurality of customer account numbersassociated with the product provider; a point of sale terminalconfigured to interface with a plurality of cards, including thetransaction card and to receive one or more of the plurality of productorder codes and the identifier of the customer order transaction cardand transmit the one or more of the plurality of product order codes andthe identifier via an existing financial services electronic paymentnetwork to an issuer of the customer order transaction card responsiveto the existing financial services electronic payment networkidentifying the issuer of the customer order transaction card; and acomputer to facilitate electronic ordering and management of productsover the existing financial services electronic payment network defininga member interface protocol computer, the member interface protocolcomputer comprising: non-transitory memory encoded with computer programoperable on the member interface protocol computer, the computer programcomprising the instructions of: receiving by the member interfaceprotocol computer from the issuer of the customer order transaction carda product order message sent through the existing financial serviceselectronic payment network, the product order message including one ormore of the plurality of product order codes and the identifier of thecustomer order transaction card and being responsive to the point ofsale terminal receiving the one or more of the plurality of productorders and interfacing with the customer order transaction card tothereby receive the identifier of the customer order transaction card;determining, by the member interface protocol computer, whether thepurchase order message satisfies rule-based criteria; creating, by themember interface protocol computer, an error notification to send viathe existing financial services electronic payment network when thepurchase order message does not satisfy the rule-based criteria;matching, by the member interface protocol computer, each of the one ormore of the plurality of product order codes in the purchase ordermessage with one or more of the plurality of corresponding products ofthe product provider when the purchase order message satisfies therule-based criteria to thereby create a valid product order; andcreating, by the member interface protocol computer, an ordernotification for the product provider indicating the one or more of theplurality of corresponding products ordered using the existing financialservices electronic financial payment network and the associated one ormore of the plurality of customers.
 2. A system as defined in claim 1,wherein the order notification includes shipping requirements for theproduct order, and the computer program further comprising theinstruction of: communicating an order status to the one or more of theplurality of customers via a communication network different from theexisting financial services electronic payment network.
 3. A system asdefined in claim 1, the computer program further comprising theinstruction of: communicating an electronic payment network responsecode via the existing financial services electronic payment network tothereby communicate an order status to the one or more of the pluralityof customers.
 4. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the one or moreof the plurality of product order codes are entered as a payment amountwhen payment is not required.
 5. A system as defined in claim 1, whereinthe point of sale terminal includes a scanner or keyboard to enter theone or more of the plurality of product order codes, and wherein thetransaction card is associated with a customer profile.
 6. A system asdefined in claim 1, wherein the customer account number is associatedwith a monetary account so that the system can facilitate financialsettlement of the valid product order in addition to the ordering of theone or more products.
 7. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein one ormore of the plurality of customer accounts are non-financial andfinancial settlement for the valid product order is not required.
 8. Asystem as defined in claim 1, wherein the rule-based criteria includesone or more of the following: acknowledgement of sufficient payment forthe one or more of the plurality of products, valid transaction cardidentifier, allowable quantity of the one or more of the plurality ofproducts, and valid electronic card security code associated with thecustomer transaction card.
 9. A computer-implemented method forfacilitating the management and electronic ordering of goods andservices over an electronic financial network, the method comprising thesteps of: associating, in a first computer process, each of a pluralityof products of a products provider with a plurality of product ordercodes; associating, in a second computer process, each of a plurality ofcustomers with a customer account number; associating, in a thirdcomputer process, each of the plurality of customers with a customerorder transaction card, each of the transaction cards having anelectronic payment network compatible transaction card identifier uniqueto a specific customer of the plurality of customers, the identifiercomprising an issuer identifier number; configuring an electronicpayment network interface to receive one or more of the plurality ofproduct order codes and one or more of the plurality of transaction cardidentifiers, the electronic payment network interface further beingconfigured to transmit one or more of received plurality of productorder codes and the one or more of the plurality of transaction cardidentifiers via an existing financial services electronic paymentnetwork to one or more of the plurality of issuer of the plurality ofcustomer order transaction cards responsive to the existing financialservices electronic payment network identifying the one or more of theplurality of issuers of the plurality of customer order transactioncards; determining, in a fourth computer process, whether a purchaseorder message satisfies rule-based criteria responsive to receiving fromthe one of the plurality of issuers of the customer order transactioncards a product order message sent through the existing financialservices electronic payment network from the electronic payment networkinterface, the product order message being responsive to the electronicpayment network interface receiving one or more of the transaction cardidentifiers and one or more of the plurality of product order codes toidentify one or more products desired by one or more of the plurality ofcustomers; and matching, in a fifth computer process, each of the one ormore of the plurality of product order codes in the purchase ordermessage with one or more of the plurality of corresponding products ofthe product provider when the purchase order message satisfies therule-based criteria to thereby create a valid product order.
 10. Acomputer-implemented method as defined in claim 9, wherein theelectronic payment network interface comprises at least one of thefollowing: a telephone, a wireless personal digital assistant, or apoint of sale terminal.
 11. A computer-implemented method as defined inclaim 9, wherein the existing financial services electronic paymentnetwork is controlled by one or more credit card companies.
 12. Acomputer-implemented method as defined in claim 9, wherein the methodfurther includes: creating, in a sixth computer process, an ordernotification for the product provider indicating the one or more of theplurality of products ordered using the existing financial serviceselectronic financial payment network, the one or more of the pluralityof customers associated with the product order, and shippingrequirements for the product order.
 13. A computer-implemented method asdefined in claim 9, wherein the method further includes: communicatingan order status to the one or more of the plurality of customers via acommunication network different from the existing financial serviceselectronic payment network.
 14. A computer-implemented method as definedin claim 9, wherein the method further includes: communicating anelectronic payment network response code via the existing financialservices electronic payment network to thereby communicate an orderstatus to the one or more of the plurality of customers.
 15. Acomputer-implemented method as defined in claim 9, wherein the one ormore of the plurality of product order codes are entered as a paymentamount when payment is not required.
 16. A computer-implemented methodas defined in claim 9, wherein one or more of the plurality of customeraccount numbers are each associated with a monetary account to therebyenable financial settlement of the valid product order in addition tothe ordering of the one or more products.
 17. A computer-implementedmethod as defined in claim 9, wherein the plurality of customer accountsare non-financial and financial settlement for the valid product orderis not required.
 18. A computer-implemented method as defined in claim9, wherein the rule-based criteria includes one or more of thefollowing: acknowledgement of sufficient payment for the one or more ofthe plurality of products, valid transaction card identifier, allowablequantity of the one or more of the plurality of products, and validelectronic card security code associated with the customer transactioncard.
 19. A system for facilitating the management and ordering of goodsand services over an existing electronic financial network, the systemcomprising: a customer order transaction card for ordering one or moreof a plurality of products of a products provider, the transaction cardhaving a storage medium for storing an electronic payment networkcompatible transaction card identifier unique to a specific customer ofthe plurality of customers, the identifier comprising an issueridentifier number and a specific customer account number of a pluralityof customer account numbers associated with the product provider; anelectronic payment network interface configured to receive one or moreof a plurality of product order codes and one or more of the pluralityof identifiers of the customer order transaction card and transmit theone or more of the plurality of product order codes and the plurality ofidentifiers via an existing financial services electronic paymentnetwork to an issuer of the customer order transaction card responsiveto the existing financial services electronic payment networkidentifying the issuer of the customer order transaction card; and acomputer to facilitate electronic ordering of products over the existingfinancial services electronic payment network defining a memberinterface protocol computer, the member interface protocol computercomprising: non-transitory memory encoded with computer program operableon the member interface protocol computer, the computer programcomprising the instructions of: receiving by the member interfaceprotocol computer from the issuer of the customer order transaction carda product order message sent through the existing financial serviceselectronic payment network, the product order message including one ormore of the plurality of product order codes and one or more of theidentifiers of customer order transaction cards; determining, by themember interface protocol computer, whether the purchase order messagesatisfies rule-based criteria; creating, by the member interfaceprotocol computer, an error notification to send via the existingfinancial services electronic payment network when the purchase ordermessage does not satisfy the rule-based criteria; and matching, by themember interface protocol computer, each of the one or more of theplurality of product order codes in the purchase order message with oneor more of the plurality of corresponding products of the productprovider when the purchase order message satisfies the rule-basedcriteria to thereby create a valid product order.
 20. A system asdefined in claim 19, wherein the rule-based criteria includes one ormore of the following: acknowledgement of sufficient payment for the oneor more of the plurality of products, valid transaction card identifier,allowable quantity of the one or more of the plurality of products, andvalid electronic card security code associated with the customertransaction card.